Surgical or other dressing and pad



No. 608,92l. Patented Aug. 9, 1898..

L. SILVERMAN.

SURGICAL OR OTHER DRESSING AND PAD.

(Application filed May 4, 1597;

(No Model.)

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ilrrn fira'rns LAZAR US SILVERMAN,

or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SURGICAL OR OTHER DRESSING AND PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,921, dated August 9, 1898.

Application filed May l, 1897. Serial No. 635,102. (NomodeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LAZARUS SILVERMAN, a, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Il1inois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgical or other Dressings and Pads; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to surgical and catamenial dressings and pads.

The primary object of the invention is to produce dressings and pads of the kind re ferred to which in pointsof cheapness and efficiency shall be superior to articles of this kind as commonly made. Further, the object of the invention is to utilize for surgical and similar uses a substance which is now practically a waste product.

WVith these objects in View the invention consists of a pad for surgical or other purposes, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a simple form of embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a pad composed of a looselywoven covering and containing the pith of cornstalks. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a pad having covering of loosely-woven fabric on one side and having the remainder covered with anysuitable material. Fig.4isasectional view of a pad having covering of loosely.- woven fabric on one side and covered with material impervious to moisture on the other side and containing pith of cornstalks. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a pad for catamenial purposes; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a pad formed of compressed i pithof cornstalks having a network of threads or fabric to preserve its form.

In making dressings or pads in accordance with my invention 1 utilize a substance-- namely, the cornstalk-which is at the present time of practically no value in the arts,

more thicknesses of a loosely-woven fabric which willhold the pith in a convenient form for use and at the same time permit the free passage of liquid to be absorbed by the pith.

Any desired portion of the remainder of the pad may be covered with any other suitable material.

- It may be desirable to form the pith into a bodyb somewhat in the nature of felt. WVhen this is done, it may be interwoven with threads to strengthen it.

In Fig. 5 of thedrawings I have particularly illustrated a pad for use by women during menstruation. two or more layers 01 and d of pith separated by fabric dd The face ofthe pad which is to come into contact with the body is covered by one or more layers of loosely-woven or absorbent fabric, and this face is provided with one or more depressions e, formed by stitching or otherwise, which will serve to keep the pith evenly distributed through the pad and prevent packing in any particular part. Any moisture passing through the depressed portion of the pad will be absorbed-by the part d arranged back of it. The pad is attached to the body by any suitablemeans which will render its use comfortable.

,In some instances I cover a portion of any of the pads described with covering a impervious to moisture to prevent fluid from pass ing through them.

The pith, when prepared in any of the various ways described, may have mixed with it a suitable quantity of antiseptic substance or may be scented to prevent a disagreeable odor, or both the antiseptic and the scent may be used.

In any of the forms of pads described I may This pad is composed of use either compressed pith or ground pith, or, cornstalks from which the fiber is removed, Io when occasion requires, both the compressed substantially as described.

and the ground pith may be used. In testimony whereof I affix my signature Having thus described my invention, what in presence of two Witnesses. 5 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, LAZARUS SILVERMAN.

A pad for surgical or other purposes hav- Witnesses: ing a covering of loosely-Woven or absorbent N. A. KELLY,

fabric, and containing eomminnted pith of S, G. HOPKINS. 

